The three-day event at Al Ain Mall will feature eSports tournaments and cosplay competitions. Satish Kumar / The National
The three-day event at Al Ain Mall will feature eSports tournaments and cosplay competitions. Satish Kumar / The National
The three-day event at Al Ain Mall will feature eSports tournaments and cosplay competitions. Satish Kumar / The National
The three-day event at Al Ain Mall will feature eSports tournaments and cosplay competitions. Satish Kumar / The National

Arts & Culture

Al Ain Mall to host city's first Anime and Gaming Con

Events include esports tournaments, a retro arcade zone and cosplay competitions

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

October 04, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Al Ain Mall is set to host the three-day Anime and Gaming Con this weekend.

The event, running from Friday to Sunday, is free to attend and features an esports tournament in which games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Valorant and Fifa 23 will be played.

Winners will receive prizes from Sharaf DG and AD Gaming, including the chance to win a VIP experience for the coming Blast Premier World Final at Etihad Arena in December.

There will also be giveaways, a retro arcade gaming zone, cosplay competitions for adults and children and more.

Anime and Gaming Con will also have different corners dedicated to activities such as painting, karaoke and photography. There will be tournaments in dodgeball, laser tag, bowling and board games, too.

Meanwhile, panel discussions will spotlight career opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s growing gaming sector, ideal for those looking to make a career in the field.

“Abu Dhabi’s gaming and esports industry continues to grow at a rapid pace, increasingly contributing the the emirate’s broader economic diversification strategy,” said James Hartt, director of strategic initiatives and business development at AD Gaming.

"Abu Dhabi, and particularly Al Ain, is home to an incredibly passionate community of gaming and pop culture fans, which is why events such as this Anime and Gaming Con are so important.

“By supporting the local gaming and esports communities, we look to spark a passion for a career in video game development and esport tournament production that will, in turn, support the long-term sustainable growth of the emirate’s gaming industry.”

Friday to Sunday, 1pm to 10pm. More information is at alainmall.net

Scroll the gallery below to see cosplay from this year's Middle East Film and Comic Con

A woman in cosplay poses with Batman at the Middle East Film & Comic Con 2022 in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National, unless specified otherwise
A woman in cosplay poses with Batman at the Middle East Film & Comic Con 2022 in Abu Dhabi. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National, unless specified otherwise
The judging panel of the cosplay competition.
The judging panel of the cosplay competition.
A woman in cosplay performs on stage.
A woman in cosplay performs on stage.
A cosplayer with a horse head mask.
A cosplayer with a horse head mask.
The audience turned out in full force to watch the cosplay competition.
The audience turned out in full force to watch the cosplay competition.
A cosplayer as the Marvel superhero Iron Man.
A cosplayer as the Marvel superhero Iron Man.
Symbiote x Chainsaw Man.
Symbiote x Chainsaw Man.
A young girl participates in the cosplay competition.
A young girl participates in the cosplay competition.
The event took place at the MEFCC Mainstage, which is outdoors.
The event took place at the MEFCC Mainstage, which is outdoors.
A girl cosplays as DC superhero Wonder Woman.
A girl cosplays as DC superhero Wonder Woman.
The judging panel featured regional and international cosplayers.
The judging panel featured regional and international cosplayers.
Even though not everyone entered the competition, there was still plenty of cosplay on display on day two of the Middle East Film & Comic Con.
Even though not everyone entered the competition, there was still plenty of cosplay on display on day two of the Middle East Film & Comic Con.
A cosplayer in a menacing outfit.
A cosplayer in a menacing outfit.
The children who competed in the Kids Cosplay competition were all winners and received swag bags.
The children who competed in the Kids Cosplay competition were all winners and received swag bags.
Sylar Serag, as Bazelgeuse Armor from 'Monster Hunter', won first place in the Best Craftsmanship category. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Sylar Serag, as Bazelgeuse Armor from 'Monster Hunter', won first place in the Best Craftsmanship category. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Ashwani Kapoor as Samurai Vegito Blue from 'Dragon Ball Z' took second place in Best Craftsmanship. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Ashwani Kapoor as Samurai Vegito Blue from 'Dragon Ball Z' took second place in Best Craftsmanship. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Mohamed Farahat as Banbaro from 'Monster Hunter World' took third place in Best Craftsmanship. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Mohamed Farahat as Banbaro from 'Monster Hunter World' took third place in Best Craftsmanship. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Sabie Cipriani as Nico Yazawa from 'Long Live! School Idol Project' was first in Best Performance on Stage. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Sabie Cipriani as Nico Yazawa from 'Long Live! School Idol Project' was first in Best Performance on Stage. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Mohammed Hasan, who goes by the cosplay name Themed Injection, won third place for Best Performance on Stage as Heath Ledger’s The Joker. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
Mohammed Hasan, who goes by the cosplay name Themed Injection, won third place for Best Performance on Stage as Heath Ledger’s The Joker. Photo: Middle East Film and Comic Con
While you're here
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
While you're here
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

12%20restaurants%20opening%20at%20the%20hotel%20this%20month
%3Cp%3EAriana%E2%80%99s%20Persian%20Kitchen%3Cbr%3EDinner%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EEstiatorio%20Milos%3Cbr%3EHouse%20of%20Desserts%3Cbr%3EJaleo%20by%20Jose%20Andres%3Cbr%3ELa%20Mar%3Cbr%3ELing%20Ling%3Cbr%3ELittle%20Venice%20Cake%20Company%3Cbr%3EMalibu%2090265%3Cbr%3ENobu%20by%20the%20Beach%3Cbr%3EResonance%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EThe%20Royal%20Tearoom%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20Witcher%20-%20season%20three
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHenry%20Cavill%2C%20Freya%20Allan%2C%20Anya%20Chalotra%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tomorrow 2021
More on this story
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners

Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta​​​​​​​
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)

DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%2C%20Manal%20Khader%2C%20Amer%20Daher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
On Women's Day
Updated: October 04, 2022, 3:26 PM
GamingAl Ain